How Do You Spell ROTAMER?

Pronunciation: [ɹˈə͡ʊte͡ɪmə] (IPA)

The word "rotamer" is spelled with the IPA phonetic transcription /ˈroʊtəmər/. It is a term used in chemistry and refers to a specific configuration of a molecule. The first syllable "ro" is pronounced with a long "o" sound, the second syllable "ta" is pronounced with a soft "a" sound, and the final syllable "mer" is pronounced with a soft "er" sound. The spelling of this word reflects its Greek roots, with the prefix "rota" meaning "rotation" and suffix "-mer" indicating "part" or "segment."

ROTAMER Meaning and Definition

1. A rotamer is a term frequently used in structural biology and chemistry to describe a specific conformation, or shape, that a molecule can adopt. More specifically, a rotamer refers to a unique spatial arrangement of atoms within a molecule that differ from other conformations by rotation around one or more torsion angles, mostly involving single bonds.

   A rotamer is typically distinguished from other conformations of the same molecule by the relative orientation of functional groups or substituents. These conformations result from the free rotation of specific bonds in the molecule, allowing the different conformers to exist in equilibrium. Rotamers are often represented by diagrams showing the relative positions of atoms and bonds, thus providing a visual representation of the molecule's shape.

   The term "rotamer" is particularly relevant in the study of proteins, where different rotamers of amino acid side chains define specific arrangements and interactions within the three-dimensional protein structure. Rotamers play a crucial role in protein folding, as well as in protein-ligand binding events.

   Understanding the different rotamers that a molecule can adopt provides valuable insight into its physical and chemical properties, including stability, reactivity, and molecular recognition. Additionally, the conformational flexibility provided by rotamers contributes to the overall dynamic nature of molecules, allowing them to adapt to various environmental conditions and participate in diverse molecular interactions.

Common Misspellings for ROTAMER

• rotameer
• rotametr
• votamer
• ritamer
• eotamer
• dotamer
• fotamer
• totamer
• 5otamer
• 4otamer
• rktamer
• rltamer
• rptamer
• r0tamer
• r9tamer
• roramer
• rofamer
• rogamer
• royamer
• ro6amer

Etymology of ROTAMER

The term "rotamer" was coined by the American biochemist Christian B. Anfinsen in 1973. It is a combination of the words "rotation" and "isomer". The term "rotation" refers to the ability of certain chemical groups to rotate around a bond, while "isomer" refers to molecules with the same chemical formula but different spatial arrangements. Anfinsen introduced the term to describe the different conformations or spatial arrangements that certain molecules can adopt due to the rotation of particular chemical groups.